Today's interesting fact has to do with nanotechnology

Different people seem to have different ideas in what nanotechnology refers to.

To make it things worse, some journalists seem use the same term for nanomachines and nanocrystals.

Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating mater on an atomic and molecular scale.

Titanium dioxide is a good example of this.

This mineral is found in toothpaste, paint, paper, sunscreen, skin care products and is used as a food colouring.

New uses of the material are constantly being found.

It turns paints white, helps whiten teeth, is a mild abrasive and its opacity blocks light.

Up to recently, the crystals used in these products have been large, when considered on the molectular scale.

But nano particles are now being used in many products. They are much smaller than the crystals that were used in the past.

These tiny crystals are begining to be linked to respiratory tract cancer and may cause problems in the digestive tract if swallowed.